Article #1451 - REScheck Webcast Questions - Software
This article is based on questions asked during both the May 6, 2005 REScheck Training Webcast
and the July 28, 2005 REScheck Training Rebroadcast as well as questions received through email following these events. The original language of the questions and answers has been modified to make them as generic as possible while retaining the applicable specific information.
Do REScheck Compliance Certificates need to be sealed or does a "licensed professional" need to certify and submit the compliance report to the building department?
The energy code does not require that a certified design professional sign or seal residential compliance certificates.
Is it acceptable for the HVAC contractor to perform the REScheck reports for the building departments?
Yes, it is acceptable for the HVAC contractor to perform the REScheck reports. The energy code does not require that a certified design professional sign residential compliance certificates.
Can a township require that an engineer and/or architect be the only one that can run REScheck and not the builder?
The township/jurisdiction and building official have the final authority of what is required for submittal and permitting.
How do you update your REScheck with new codes if you are running the downloaded version?
If you have registered on our website as a REScheck user, when a major release is posted on our website, we will send an email to all registered users informing them of the new release and features included in the new release.
When is REScheck updated?
The software has one or two major updates a year. The next major release is September 2007. Reminders of new releases are emailed to all registered users. If you are not a registered user and would like to receive a reminder, register on the Building Energy Codes Program website.
What are the changes from last year and this year (REScheck)?
The major changes in REScheck included incorporating compliance to the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code, Arkansas's State specific code, electronic on-line permitting capability, and several minor enhancements and bug fixes.
How can I access REScheck Web?
You can click the link on the homepage of the Building Energy Codes Program website or go directly to the REScheck-Web software.
If you choose "Code: 2003 IECC", but I am in a "drop down" state, will the program work?
Yes, the program will work, however, if your state is listed in the drop down Code Menu, the state most likely has a "state specific code" with special amendments and should be used instead of one of the national codes for compliance. For more information about the energy code in your state please refer to the Status of State Energy Codes database.
Can a project be created in REScheck, then "imported" into REScheck-Web? Or vice versa?
Yes. While logged into the web software, click "Load Project" or "Download" in the upper right corner.
Can you import project data from another analysis program (i.e Carrier, EliteSoft, Trane)?
REScheck does not have an option for importing data from other programs. We are working on interoperability efforts. See Building Energy Code Program Tools to Offer Interoperability for details.
I am interested in creating OUTPUT files from a CAD software. Are there any IMPORT avenues in REScheck? If so, what would that look like?
REScheck does not have an option for importing data. However you could save your project as a report by clicking on "Save Report" from the File Menu. Open the report in a text processor application on your desktop and resave the report with a **.txt extension or a file extension that is compatible with your cad program. Try importing the saved file into your program after resaving it or try copy and paste. The actual compliance certificate would be displayed on your cad drawings.
We are working on interoperability efforts. See Building Energy Code Program Tools to Offer Interoperability for details.
What if the location of a job (city) is not listed in the pull down menu on the opening Project screen in REScheck?
If your city is not listed in the drop down selection of cities, choose the closest city listed with the most similar weather data.
Is there a method for inserting a heading on secondary pages of the report, for example: project name, date of report, etc?
This is currently not a feature of the software. However, you could save your project as a report from the File menu in the program. Open the report in any text processor and manually enter the heading for the other pages of the report.
Is there a link to the Resource Center in REScheck?
We are currently working on a future release of REScheck that will have the capability of retrieving above code and other code information from the Resource Center. This enhancement to the software should be completed and released by September.
I work with two and three story retirement residences; 100,000 square feet, 115 units that are both R-occupancy and A occupancy; do I use REScheck or COMcheck?
Multifamily buildings that are three stories or less in height and have three or more attached dwelling units would fall under the residential energy code requirements and REScheck could be used to show compliance depending upon the adopted energy code within your location. Multifamily buildings greater than three stories in height would fall under the commercial energy code requirements and COMcheck-EZ could be used to show compliance.
Multifamily buildings that are three stories or less in height and have three or more attached dwelling units would fall under the residential energy code requirements and REScheck could be used to show compliance depending upon the adopted energy code within your location. Multifamily buildings greater than three stories in height would fall under the commercial energy code requirements and COMcheck-EZ could be used to show compliance.
When the Package Generator prints a compliance report, why are the areas not shown, which are useful for plan checking and to aid seeing if design is in compliance? The wall/ ceiling areas print out of REScheck and have been valuable.
The REScheck Package Generator is based on the prescriptive packages in the energy code. The prescriptive requirements are not dependent upon the square footage of the components. The packages are primarily based upon the code, location of the project (climate zone) and the percentage of glazing.
We haven't been able to print or view the How to Guide on the web site. It just locks up our computer.
The Software User's Guide is a large file and might take awhile to open. The guide is also embedded within the help section of the desktop REScheck software as well as REScheck-Web. It might be easier to access the guide through one of the applications if you continue to have difficulty opening the guide on its own.
Is there a way to attach a window schedule from the area take off tool to the compliance report or a way to save it as a text file?
In Areacalc you can save your window schedule and print the schedule from within Areacalc. The window schedule cannot be saved as a text file.
You have mentioned ENERGY STAR rating several times. Is there a way to show ENERGY STAR Rating with REScheck?
There is not a way to show an ENERGY STAR rating with REScheck. However, it can be used for the initial step to achieving an ENERGY STAR rating, if the compliance results of your project achieve the baseline % better than code required by ENERGY STAR.
Does the window/wall ratio shown on the compliance report include glass doors?
Yes, the window/wall ratio includes doors that have more than 50% glass.
What is the category for vinyl-clad wood frame windows, vinyl? wood? other?
Choosing "other" as the window assembly will allow the editing of the word "other" as the assembly description by double clicking in the assembly field and changing the name to vinyl-clad wood frame. You will also need to provide an appropriate U-value for the assembly.
What if geothermal heating is being used in my project, can I enter this in the mechanical tab?
REScheck does not allow tradeoffs for ground source heat pumps, forced hot water, and some other systems in the Mechanical folder. The software does allow tradeoffs with air source heat pumps, fossil fuel furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners.
What is the difference between REScheck and REScheck-Web?
REScheck-Web requires no download or installation and you can save your projects online. There is no difference in the software calculation.
Can you import REScheck files into CAD?
REScheck does not have an option for importing data. However, you could save your project as a report by clicking on "Save Report" from the File Menu. Open the report in a text processor on your desktop and resave the report with a **.txt extension or a file extension that is compatible with your CAD program. Try importing the saved file into your program after resaving it or try copy and paste.